The Dallas Mavericks missed out on advancing to the second round of the NBA playoffs for another season.
However, they took the Los Angeles Clippers to seven games and had two opportunities to close it out.
What is the next step for this franchise and young phenom, Luka Doncic?
Well, in addition to preparing to add new pieces to an already good team, they also have to worry about their disgruntled second star, Kristaps Porzingis.
"Porzingis has been frustrated, often feeling more like an afterthought than a co-star" next to Doncic, per @espn_macmahon pic.twitter.com/H9wneBF0iR
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 7, 2021
Doncic is the face of this franchise.
The offense and organization runs through the young superstar.
Porzingis was supposed to be that guy when the Mavericks traded for him.
Unfortunately, he has battled a various amount of injuries throughout his career.
Now with Porzingis always being hurt, and having issues with the organization, it might be time for the Mavericks to move on.
What does the future hold for Porzingis?
Move Porzingis Immediately
The goal for the offseason should be to trade Porzingis as fast as possible.
It is not good to have this issue lingering throughout the downtime.
Teams should tend to act fast when big players on the roster voice frustration.
Either you solve the issue, or you move on.
Moving on is the best-case scenario.
However, what would it take for him to be moved?
He has been a hot commodity within the league before, when he was available to be dealt with the New York Knicks.
Things have changed dramatically since then.
We have seen his play diminish tremendously.
However, he still has a lot of talent in him.
At one point in time, he was a unicorn.
A versatile, 7-foot-3 big man with three-point shooting abilities is unheard of.
The media was enamored with his play.
We believed that he was the next great player in the game.
All of that has changed with the last couple of seasons.
Porzingis’ game has changed with the injuries and the offensive system.
He might need a change of scenery to fulfill his potential.
The Mavericks might also want to move on and tinker with the roster.
There is a great chance we do not see Porzingis in a Mavericks jersey next season.
Can They Move Him?
The Mavericks might want to trade the big man, but there is one issue.
What is his trade value?
His play has been below-average the last two seasons.
However, his playoff performance against the Clippers in the first round this season was alarming.
Numbers for supposed second star of a team should not look like that in the playoffs.
Kristaps Porzingis averaged 13 points, 5 rebounds and 1 three per game in this playoffs.
He is getting paid more than Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bradley Beal, Jrue Holiday, Julius Randle, Jamal Murray and Jaylen Brown this season. pic.twitter.com/N6HeWvT3Yl
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 6, 2021
His struggles will definitely have other teams around the NBA startled.
The contract also plays a factor into a decision of trading for him or not.
He has over $100 million still owed to him for the next three seasons, assuming he accepts his player option in 2023.
His value might nor be high, or even existent at the moment.
More times than not, players get moved.
In this case, Porzingis is only 25 years old as well.
However, can the contract, injury history, and lack of production hurt any chances of the Mavericks moving on from Porzingis?
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